Track-sanding device



T. J. BURRELL.

TRACK SANDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I6. 1921.

1,426,627. Patented Aug. 22, 1922.

W33 fi stains TIMOTHY JOSEPH nunnnrn, or EL PASO',

TRACK-SANDING DEVICE.

incense.

Application filed June 16, 1921. Serial No. 478,080.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, TIMOTHY JosnrH BURRELL', a citizen of the United States, re siding at El Paso, in the county of El Paso and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Track- Sanding Devices; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains, to make and use the same.

This invention relates broadly to an improved track sanding device, having more particular reference to an improved nozzle for the fluid pipe of such device.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved nozzle of simplified construction which embodies novel spring means which functions as a valve and serves to close one of the ends of the bore of the nozzle when the air is shut off to prevent sand and grit from accumulating in and clogging the bore as now happens with the types of nozzles in use at this time.

Other objects and advantages of the invention Will be apparent during the course or the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l is a sectional view, with parts in elevation, of a conventional type of sanding device equipped with a nozzle constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a central vertical enlarged sectional view through the nozzle.

Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof.

To enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding of my nozzle, I have shown it associated with a conventional type of sanding device which comprises an irregular conduit A. which is bolted or otherwise secured to the dome B from which the sand is supplied. The intermediate portion or" the conduit is inclined as shown to cause the sand to fall, by gravity, into the lowermost dished portion of the conduit to overcome, as is obvious, accidental falling of the sand onto the track caused by the vibration of the car. The outer end of the conduit is downturned as indicated at G and this end has a depending pipe D connected therewith, it being obvious that this pipe extends down and into close proximity with the track to drop sand onto the latter. It may also be pointed out,

one side with'a covered hand-hole serves to permit free access to be had to the that, as is usual, the conduit is formed on E which interior of the conduit. The dished portion of thelatter is formed with an opening with which an air pipe F communicates. Under ordinary circumstances, a bored bushing is fitted into the opening in the conduit and communicates with the 1 pipe F to supply a et of air to the conduit to force the sand from the latter and onto the track through the depending pipe D. As before indicated, this invention contemplates substituting for the old type of nozzle, which becomes frequently clogged with sand, the new type of nozzle shown. it is hardly necessary to say here, that the parts of the device so far described constitute no part of this invention and are in use at this time.

The invention, as above stated, resides in the employment of a novel nozzle 1, the same having longitudinalbore extending entirely therethrough to permit passage of a restricted quantity or air or other fluid. The

bore 2 is reduced in diameter intermediate its ends as indicated at 3. Further examination of the nozzle will disclose the fact that it is screw-threaded at one end as indicated at 4, and is provided intermediate its ends with a flange 5 and has upper conical or pointed end 6. A pair of oppositely disposed spring fingers 7 are secured at their lower ends to the flange 5, having their upper ends bent inwardly and toward each other as indicated at 8 and increased somewhat in width. The inherent resiliency of these fingers automatically forces their free ends together in such a way as to normally cover the upper end of the bore 2 so that it is practically impossible for sand to enter this bore and clog it in such a way as to prevent free passage of air therethrough.

It is obvious that although the extremities oi the fingers come together in such a way as to close the upper passage or the nozzle, they are sutiiciently resilient to be sprung apart as indicated in Fig. 2 when the air pressure is supplied to the nozzle.

In operation, sand is fed from the dome B into the conduit A and is caught by the incoming current of air passing through the pipe F and nozzle 1, and carried upwardly and then down from the conduit through the depending pipe D and onto the track or other desired place of deposit. As soon as the air current is shut off, the free ends of the fingers 7, which were previously spaced apart to permit passage of air through the nozzle, automatically spring together and assume the position disclosed in Fig. 3 thereby closing the passage of the nozzle and preventing the entrance of sand or grit into this passage.

A careful consideration oi the description taken in connection with thedrawings will be found sufficient, it is thought, to enable persons skilled in the art-to which the invention relates to obtain a clear understanding of thesame. lengthy and detailed description will be omitted. I

' Since probably the best results may beobtained with the construction and arrangement herein shown and described, this is taken as a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, slight minor changes coming within the scope of the subjoined claims may be resorted. to. I

I claim: 1 v

1. A fluid nozzle for disposition in the conduit of a track sanding device comprising a longitudinally bored body, and an exteriorlydisposed valve normally closing the upper end of said bore to prevent the entrance otsand, said valve being opened by the pressure of the fiuidexerted against it.

2. A nozzle comprising a longitudinally bored body, and a spring .finger carried by the body and closing one end of said bore,

In view of this, a more being rendered inefl'ective by the pressure exerted against it.-

3. A nozzle of the class described comprisother and their extremities normally contact the upper end of ing one another to cover said bore.

5. A. fluid nozzle for arrangement in the conduit of a track sanding devicecomprising. a longitudinally bored body having a wedge'shaped upper, end, and oppositely disposed spring fingers associated with said body and having their upper ends directed toward each, other in a manner to cover the upper end 01 said bore, and said inwardly directed ends being flattened for contact with the flattened faces of of the body.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 4

TIMOTHY JOSEPH said upper end 

